Ware County split a pair of non-region basketball matchups with the victory ending a long struggle to get above .500.
The Gators (4-4) achieved the accomplishment with a thrilling 65-64 victory Friday, December 16 against visiting Fitzgerald (1-2). The last time Ware County held a winning record prior to its 4-3 mark was February 12, 2017 at 10-9. This is also the latest in the last five years the Gators have been at .500.
Camden County (5-6) won its fourth consecutive game a night later handing the Gators a 72-57 setback. The only information available concerned the Wildcats, who placed four players in double figures and had two record double-doubles with another just missing a triple-double.
Ware County traveled Tuesday to Mary Persons High School in Forysth to participate in a three-day holiday tournament. The Gators opened with Salem High School at 2:30 p.m.
Opponents for the second and third days will be based on bracket results.
Gators 65
Fitzgerald 64
Glendan Hadden led four players in double figures scoring a team-high 15 points to help Ware County clip the Purple Hurricane.
Fitzgerald jumped ahead 17-14 after eight minutes. The scoring slowed to a crawl in the second stanza with the Gators holding a 9-6 scoring advantage to pull even at 23-apiece at intermission.
The scoring heated up in the third quarter as each team surpassed their first-half point totals with both pouring in 25 points sending the game into the final eight minutes tied at 48-all.
The game went back-and-forth in the final period with Ware County holding a 17-16 scoring advantage to garner the one-point win.
Hadden pulled in seven rebounds and added an assist and steal to his totals. Tayshaun Franklin followed with 12 points.
Brandon Washington, in his first action of the year, netted 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds, recorded a team-high five steals, had two assists and was credited with a team-leading two blocks. Dedric Jacson recorded a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. He had four assists and a steal.
Darius Ward just missed double figures scoring nine points, handing out a team-high six assists, to go along with a rebound and steal. TeZhan Bolds added four points, grabbed three rebounds, handed out three assists, and was credited with three steals.
Camden Co. 72
Gators 57
KINGSLAND — Camden County opened up a 14-point first quarter lead and was never headed in beating the Gators.
DeNigel Cooper led four players in double figures while picking up a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds to go along with six blocked shots. Early Murry followed with 18 points, Corey LeClair added 14 points, and J’marley Riddle added 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Camden County led 19-5 after one period with the Gators using a 16-13 scoring advantage in the second period to get to within 32-21 at intermission.
The Wildcats outscored Ware County 19-18 in the third period to take a 51-39 lead into the fourth. They would close out the game with a 21-18 scoring advantage.
No details were released for Ware County.
